Emerald Green Arborvitae Thuja: There Are Much Better Options
Disclosure before describing the shortcomings of Emerald Green Arborvitae Thuja: we do grow and sell them, but we do not recommend them.
The shortcomings:
- Fairy high die out ratio after transplant
- Susceptible to diseases
- Not deer resistant
- Grows slow (12” v 48” / year for better varieties)
- Not particularly pretty at a mature stage (can open up as multi-stem and expose bare side)
Until somewhat recently it was the only choice for a columnar arborvitae for USDA Zone 6 and colder. A columnar shape is important for tight spaces and lots where privacy is desirable.
A much better columnar choice is the American Pillar.
The benefits:
- Almost never a die out after transplant
- Diseases resistance similar to Green Arborvitae
- Deer resistant, same as Green Giant Arborvitae
- Solid 4’ a year growth rate
- No bare side to be exposed as it ages
However, it takes a long time for the once popular Emerald Green Arborvitae to go out of fashion and to be replaced with the far superior genetics of the American Pillar Arborvitae.
A row of Green Giant separating two properties before construction begins, Southern Ohio, 2022
For more information:
https://shop.arborday.org/full-speed-a-hedge-american-pillar
Shop our store for Green Giant / American Pillar Arborvitae and Murray / Leyland Cypress:
https://victorygardenboys.com/
https://www.facebook.com/VictoryGardenBoys
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